Wednesday 20 January 2016 10:35, UK
Inter manager Roberto Mancini was involved in an angry touchline spat with Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri and claims he was subjected to homophobic abuse as the pair clashed on the sidelines towards the end of Tuesday night's Coppa Italia quarter-final at San Paolo.
Stevan Jovetic and Adem Ljajic scored for the visitors in the second half as Napoli lost for only the second time since August.
Napoli's misery was compounded by the dismissal of Dries Mertens late on, earning his second yellow card for taking a dive in the penalty area.
Shortly after Ljajic had put the result beyond doubt with a second goal on the breakaway in stoppage time, tempers boiled over between the two benches, with an angry confrontation and heated words exchanged before Mancini was eventually sent to the stands.
Mancini claimed in a post-match television interview with host broadcaster Rai Sport that rival manager Sarri had used unacceptable, offensive language during their confrontation.
"You have to ask Sarri what happened," said Mancini. "Men like him shouldn't be in the world of football.
"He is 60 years old and must be ashamed," added Mancini, who went on to claim he was subjected to two homophobic phrases.
"The fourth official heard everything, but didn't say a word, and I was sent off. This incident overshadows the rest of the match and is an embarrassment."
Mancini continued: "He tried to find me after the match and asked for forgiveness, but he should be embarrassed. In England, someone like him wouldn't even be allowed on a training pitch."
In a separate interview, Sarri responded to the criticism, claiming no offence had been intended.
"It was the kind of argument that people have on the touchline or on the pitch. I apologised to him in the locker room, but I expected him to apologise to me too. I think what happened on the pitch should stay on the pitch," the Napoli manager said.
"I can't remember [my exact words], it's possible [I used that language]. I was fired up and angry, so I'm not sure what I said.
"Am I homophobic? That seems over the top. I was just irritable. I said something out of rage at the Dries Mertens red card and I have nothing against Mancini. We are men of sport, these things happen, and it only lasted 10 seconds."
Sarri hoped the matter could be put behind them, and apologised if his alleged comments had caused offence.
"I don't know why Mancini was so offended. It has become something now that goes outside of the pitch and I wouldn't have done that. I accept someone else might think differently," he continued.
"I apologised to him in private, I don't know what more I can do. I will repeat it tomorrow, but it seemed to me a normal argument people have on the pitch.
"I will admit it wasn't the right tone to take, but I've seen and heard worse on a football pitch. Under stress it can happen, I hope with a clear head Mancini changes his mind.
"I was not discriminating against anyone. If I did indeed use those words, then I apologise to the gay community."
